
General Organization Rules 



OF THE 



CITY HISTORY CLUB 



OF 



NEW YORK 



A YOUNG PEOPLE'S CIVIC ALLIANCE 



Office and Club Rooms, 21 West 44th Street 



es 



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THE CITY HISTORY CLUB OF NEW YO 

21-23 West 44th Street 



President, - . . 
First Vice-President - 
Second Vice-President - 
Recording Secretary - 
Treasurer . - . 



Mrs. Robert Abbe 

Dr. George F. Kunz 

Dr. Edward Hagaman Hall 

Mrs. Datus C. Smith 

Mrs. E. Clark Tracy ; 



Mrs. Emil L, Boas 
Mr. John D. Crimmins 
Mrs. Horace E. Deming 
Dr. John H. Finley 
Dr. Elgin R. L. Gould 
Mr. Francis W. Halsey 
Mrs. A. Barton Hepburn 
Miss Elsie Hill 



TRUSTEES 

The Officers and 



Prof. Henry P. Johnstot 
Mrs. Janvier Le Due 
Prof. Herbert L. Osgooc 
Miss Mary J. Pierson 
Miss Erama G. Sebring 
Miss Clara B. Spence 
Dr. Talcott Williams 
General Stewart L. Woo 



Corresponding Secretary 
Miss Elsie Hill 

Superintendent 
Dr. Frank Bergen Kelley 



Gi.h? 



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General Organization Rules 9 



OF THE 



CITY HISTORY CLUB 



GENERAL ORGANIZATION 

The City History Club of New York was founded in 1896 to develop a 
better and more intelligent citizenship by means of the study of city history 
and government and the organization of self-government clubs. 

The affairs of the organization are directed by the Officers, a Board of 
Trustees and standing and special committees. 

Members of the local clubs are united in an effort to increase interes 
in the history of their neighborhoods, respect for landmarks, and knowl- 
edge and use of the opportunities afforded by the city itself; seeking thus 
to establish a foundation for civic responsibility and a better realization of 
the ideals of the government under which we live. 

LOCAL ORGANIZATION 

The classes and self-governing clubs, organized by or in affiliation with 
the City History Club, are numbered in the order of their establishment 
and named by themselves for some favorite or famous character or place 
appropriate to the locality where they meet. Thus the DeWitt Clinton City 
History Club No. 229 is the 229th club organized and meets at the DeWitt 
Clinton High School. 

Four sorts of clubs are recognized by the CiTY History Club: 

I. Active City History Clubs. 
II. Allied City Hlstory Clubs. 

III. Active Civics Clubs. 

IV. Allied Civics Clubs. 

There is also the Alumni Association of the City History Club. 

ACTIVE CITY HISTORY CLUBS 
I. These may be organized by the Superintendent of the City HISTORY 
Club in any settlement, church, school, librarv, or other institution, and 



* Even in elementary iiisiruction, the relation between history and civics may be shown. A 
knowledge ol conditions necessitating the establishment of various civic departments and in- 
stitutions arouses interest in proper administration. 



put in charge of one of the regular C. H. C. Leaders; or they may be organ- 
ized by the headvvorker, pastor, principal, etc., of such institution and put 
under the charge of some one approved by the same; or a class or club 
already organized may pursue the study of City History for part ot its 
work. 

2. Members are expected to pursue the definite study of local history 
and follow in a general way the lessons outlined in the Club Teachers' 
Hand Book. 

3. The Club Leader is to send a monthly report blank, properly filled 
out, to the Superintendent at the end of each month. These reports are 
necessary in order that the general officers may keep in touch with the 
work. Reports and communications not confidential are kept on file at 
the Club room and are open to inspection. They are tabulated for general 
comparison and the results posted. 

Occasionally a directory of all the clubs with their time of meeting is 
sent to members of The City History Club. 

4. Each club, unless excused, has some degree of self-government, and 
should spend a portion of each meeting in a business session to learn the 
elements of parliamentary procedure. A model form of Constitution and 
By-Laws may be found on p. 4, which may be modified to suit condi- 
tions. A copy should be sent to the Superintendent together with a list of 
the names and addresses of the enrolled members, the officers being desig- 
nated. This list should be corrected from time to time. 

The Leader and members should wear the Club badge at meetings and 
on excursions, or wherever members represent the Club. It is well to have 
a simple ceremony when new members are enrolled that the meaning of 
the emblem may be explained before it is presented. The purpose of the 
badge is to establish esprit de corps among all the members. Often the 
Superintendent aids in the installation of a new club, giving a brief lantern 
talk to inculcate interest in local history as well as to explain the purpose 
and methods of the organization. 

6. A Petmy Tax, consisting of one cent per meeting for each enrolled 
member, is to be collected regularly and turned over, upon request, to the 
Treasurer of the City History Club. The money thus contributed is to 
be used for memorial purposes. Through this means the McGown Pass 
tablet in Central Park was made possible. It is planned now to preserve 
and mark with tablets the city milestones, the care of which has been 
entrusted by the City to the children of the City History Club and the 
Public Schools. 

The matter of other dues is left to the discretion of each club. 

7. Each Club is expected to send to the District Meetings one or more 
delegates or alternates prepared to report on work done or planned (see 



p. 5). Representatives may also be invited to general meetings at the 
Clubroom. 

8. Meetings are usually open to visitors, and from time to time the 
Superintendent or his associates will visit the clubs. Hence any change of 
the time or place of meeting should be sent to the Club office. 

9. Each club is expected, unless excused by the Superintendent, to pre- 
pare note-books, essays, etc., for the Annual Exhibition, full announce- 
ments for which, including terms as to the competition for club banners 
and individual rewards and certificates, are published and supplied to Club 
Leaders. 

11. Each club should be taken on one or more historical excursions 
during the year, there should be rehearsal of the Club songs, and special 
open meetings are recommended, when parents of members or other clubs 
are invited. At these meetings historical and patriotic recitations and 
essays may be given, the Club and national songs sung and a debate or a 
historical play presented. The settlement workers, or other authorities, 
should always be consulted as to these meetings and invited to be present, 

12. When any club disbands, or its members are forced to leave, the 
Leader should offer a card of membership to all in good standing, recom- 
mending them to the courtesy of other City History Clubs or the Alumni 
Association. 

ACTIVE CIVICS CLUBS 

The rules for Active History Clubs will prevail, except that the study of 
civics, particularly of vitintcipal gover7iment and adininislraiion, will take 
the place of history. There will be special union meetings of Civic Clubs at 
which men, prominent or interested in civic work, will be requested to speak. 
There will be discussion of topics of civic interest, and written work along 
the same line should be presented for the Annual Kxhibition. Excursions 
will be taken to the City Hall, government institutions, etc. 

A Syllabus of the Government of New York City is being pre- 
pared for teachers and Club Leaders, which it is hoped soon to publish. 

ALLIED CITY HISTORY CLUBS 
In order to meet the needs of clubs which desire to enter into co-opera- 
tion with the City History Club without pursuing its regular course of 
study or conforming with the above regulations, the Club announces that 
it will be happy to enter into affiliation with clubs whose work is on similar 
lines on the following terms : 

I. Such organizations must be non-partisan and non-sectarian ; should, 
in so far as conditions permit, be self-governing, and when making appli- 
cation for such alliance should state clearly in writing their objects and 
methods of work. 



2. The Leader should send an annual report to the Superintendent be- 
fore the Annual Meeting of the City History Club. 

3. Each Allied Club may send one or more delegates to the Annual 
Meeting. 

4. Allied Clubs may purchase at Club rates the material used by Active 
Clubs and may exhibit their work at the Annual Exhibition ; but they may 
not compete for the banners, rewards or certificates offered by the Club, 
with the exception of the cup offered for singing. This exception is made at 
the wish of the donor. 

5. Members of the Allied Clubs maybe invited to the Annual Entertain- 
ments, the Exhibition and other public events provided by the Club. 

6. Members may purchase and wear the Club badge, but they shall not 
be eligible to membership in the Alumni Association. 

7. Allied Clubs meeting within the limits of New York City must pay 
annual dues of one dollar to the Treasurer of the City History Club, 
which will entitle the club to one Contributing Membership ticket, the privi- 

. leges being transferable to any member of that club. 

8. Allied Clubs meeting outside the hmits of New York City need pay 
no fee for registration. They may secure Club material at the reduced 
rates and the Leader may, if he so chooses, take a Teacher's Membership 
(not transferable) for one dollar. 

ALLIED CIVICS CLUBS 

Rules for these clubs are the same as for Allied History Clubs, 
It seems very desirable that Civics Clubs should be organized in upper 
Grammar School classes and in High Schools. As the regular teachers 
must generally direct such school clubs, and as it may be difficult for such 
teachers to come into active relationship with the City History Club, 
the rules for alliance will leave the teacher free to pursue any individual 
plans. But the proposed Club Syllabus OF City Government, which 
it is hoped to put on the Supply List of the Public Schools should be of 
assistance. Two other Club leaflets, " Graphic Views of Government " 
(explaining through simple diagrams the relations of the national, state and 
city governments, price ten cents), and " Leaflet No. I. An Old Excise 
Law and The Currency of New Amsterdam " (price five cents) may be 
found useful. 

MODEL FORM OF CONSTITUTION 

Article I. — This Club shall be called 
(historic name to be chosen by the members). No. (the number to 

be supplied by the Superintendent) of the City History Club of New 
York. 



Art. II. — Its object shall be the study of the history or government of 
New York, with a view to good citizenship. 

Art. III. — Membership (to be decided by the Leader and members). 

Art. IV. — Officers (ordinarily consisting of President, Vice-President, 
Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant-at-Arms, Librarian to care for note books and 
supplies. Reporter, and various committees ; elections, terms of office, etc. 

Art. V. — Meetings (time and place). 

Art. VI. — Quorum. 

Art. VII. — Amendments. 

BY-LAWS 
Article i. Order of Business. 
Art. 2. Methods of Study, Excursions, etc. 
Art. 3. Dues (in addition to the penny tax). 
Art. 4. Discipline. 
Art. 5. Rules of Order, etc., etc. 

One copy of the Constitution and By-Laws should be kept by the 
Secretary and another mailed to the Superintendent. 

CLUB LEADERS 

The teacher of the class or director of the club is known as the Leader. 

Paid Leaders receive regular compensation for their services. 

Volunteer Leaders receive no compensation although occasionally they 
may be reimbursed for carfare and other expenses incurred. 

Junior Leaders are recent members of clubs who are temporarily as- 
signed by the Superintendent to carry on Club work on trial. They may 
become regular Leaders after successful experience and the passing of an 
examination in City History, Civics and Club Methods. 

All Leaders of Active Clubs are entitled to a set of the material issued 
to members of clubs, and they receive complimentary tickets entitling them 
to Contributing Menibershi]) privileges during their active service. 

They are also entitled to a complete set of the Excursion Leaflets, the 
Teachers' Handbook and Civics Syllabus, the Club Game, Civics Leaflets 
and a copy of the music of the Club Song. 

Leaders of Active Clubs are expected to attend the regular Leaders' 
Meetings (held about four times a year), to be present and aid at the 
Annual Entertainment, the Exhibition and at the District Meetings of their 
districts. They are expected to carry out the rules for Active Clubs, send 
in the monthly reports and take charge of the Penny Tax. Paid Leaders 
should send in their bills promptly and be prepared to make special reports 
to the Supporters of their respective Club. Leaders of Allied Clubs are 
invited to Leaders and District Meetings, and are expected to attend the 
Annual Meeting of Thr City History Club. 



DISTRICT MEETINGS 

District Business Meetings will be held three times a year at con- 
venient centers. All Active Clubs will be requested to choose two dele- 
gates and two alternates who are to bring proper credentials supplied by 
the District Leader to the business meetings of their respective districts. 

At these meetings plans will be made for District Entertainments and 
other matters of interest to the district. The District Leader will be 
appointed by the Superintendent ; the Chairman and Secretary will be 
elected by the delegates, each club being entitled to two votes. 

The District Leaders, Chairmen and Secretaries, together with the 
President and Secretary of the Alumni Association and the Superintendent 
and Corresponding Secretary of the City History Club shall constitute a 
Council which shall meet at the Clubroom on the call of the Super- 
intendent to plan the general scheme of District Meetings and Entertain- 
ments of the Club. The Superintendent or President of the Club shall 
preside. 

Each District shall arrange for one or more District Entertainments to 
which may be invited all the members of the clubs assigned to the district. 
Members of Allied Clubs may be invited but they shall have no vote in 
the business meetings. 

The program of the District Entertainments shall consist of music, 
reports from the clubs represented, and recitations, essays, debates, or 
plays, which should have some bearing on local history or govern- 
ment. Occasionally an outside speaker may be engaged and parents 
and friends of members may be invited. 

Meetings of delegates from all the Districts may be held at the call of 
the Superintendent. 

CELEBRATIONS AND PUBLIC MEETINGS. 

November 25, Evacuation Day, is generally celebrated by an outdoor 
meeting around the Club Tablet at McGown's Pass in upper Central Park. 

February 22, Washington's Birthday, is observed by the Annual Enter- 
tainment. The program usually consists of music, an illustrated lecture or a 
short dramatic entertainment and addresses. 

The Annual Meeting at the end of the Club year, when reports are 
made and an address on Club work is given to the supporting members of 
the Club. 

The Exhibition is held usually at the same time. Here are shown the 
note books, essays and other work done by the members as well as the 
graphic methods employed by the Leaders. Banners, certificates and other 
awards for excellence are presented to clubs and individual members. 
Usually a leader gives an exhibit with his club of their actual club life. 



EXCURSIONS 

Historical interest may be stimulated by visits to historic scenes or the 
inspection of old-time houses, furniture and other relics. The City His- 
tory Club has published a series of twelve Exairsion Leaflets, covering 
points of historic interest in all the Boroughs. These are mapped and il- 
lustrated, and they will soon be combined in a Historical Guide Book of 
New York. The separate leaflets are on the Supply List of the Board of 
Education. 

Leaders are urged to take their clubs on as many of these excursions as 
possible and encourage the writing of brief accounts of the trips. 

PHOTOGRAPHS 

Many of our members are amateur photographers, and it is hoped to 
enlist others with a view to securing pictures of historic buildings, tablets, 
copies of pictures, etc., for note-books and lantern slides. For the last- 
named purpose a strong negative, either glass or film, is necessary. It is 
suggested that all such negatives submitted limit the important part of 
the picture to the requisite size (3x3 inches), and that with the negative a 
blue print be sent to the Superintendent, signed with the name and address 
of the sender. The negative may be returned. 

LANTERN LECTURES AND SLIDES. 

The Teacher s Handbook contains a list of lectures on City History 
and Civics which may be illustrated by slides, of which the Club owns 
about 2,500. There are two Club stereopticons, which may be operated 
either with oil or calcium light. These may be hired, together with slides, 
by Leaders of allied clubs. Leaders of active clubs may have the occa- 
sional use of these on payment of the necessary expenses for gas and trans- 
portation. Some of the Alumni are successful operators, and their ser- 
vices may be secured for a small fee. The Club can supply the amateur 
lecturer with shdes and outlines of historical or civic lectures, or he may 
select his own slides. Applicants should in any case arrange several days 
in advance for the use of slides and apparatus, and must be personally re- 
sponsible for the carriage and safe return of material used. 

TRAVELING LIBRARIES 

The Traveling Library Department of the New York Free Circulating 
Library will supply any class with a set of about forty books and pam- 
phlets on City History and Government, These sets may be secured on 
application to the Librarian, 190 Amsterdam avenue. The books will 



be sent in a box to the Club address and called for on notification to 
the librarian. 

With the books will also be sent a catalogue, with prices of the same 
(in case of the loss of a book). Teachers must be personally responsible 
for these books, and therefore should see that they are given out and re- 
turned only at club meetings, being safely secured in the interval. In some 
cases club librarians are appointed to assist in the distribution and in fill- 
ing out the monthly circulation blanks. A personal interview with the 
librarian may lead to an extension of the list, that reference books may 
be included. 

GAMES AND SOCIAL LIFE IN THE CLUB 

Care must be taken to avoid formal class-room methods, particularly as 
so many children come directly from school to club meetings. All teaching 
should be graphic and interesting and every attempt should be made to bring 
out the learner's knowledge and judgment. The City History Club Game 
has been found helpful in stimulating interest and healthful rivalry. It is 
composed of sixty-four cards, each containing five facts about local history 
and geography, and is played like the game of Authors. Guessing games, 
employing historical pictures (the titles hidden), dissected maps of New "York 
or the separate boroughs, or dissected historical pictures or souvenir postal 
cards (made by pasting pictures and maps on cardboard and then cutting 
them out) can be prepared by the ingenious Leader or Games Committee. 
Samples of such games may be seen at the Club office. The out-door 
Excursions give special opportunities to add recreation to instruction. 
Scouts may be appointed to gather information en route. Stories may be told 
on the sites of historic events, different members taking the part of the chief 
characters concerned, and in the less frequented localities, such as Cold 
Spring at the north end of Manhattan (see Excursion No. IV), some of 
the historic scenes may be reproduced. 

Open meetings give the opportunity to prepare a program consisting 
of Club songs, historical recitations, history matches (played like a spelling- 
match) and historical i)lays. 

DRAMATICS 

All club workers now recognize the value of Dramatics as a means of 
recreation. Carefully prepared dialogues and plays make past events vivid 
to the child, arouse his latent power of self-expression and develop the 
spirit of co-operation and effort toward a common end. Such plays are 
especially useful in work with the younger club members, and may be suc- 
cessfully given, even without scenery or costumes, for the entertainment at 
district or open meetings. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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